Friday, July 3, 2015

Being new to the OCR scene this was my first Savage Race and
it did not disappoint. The first obstacle encountered was a car crash blocking the road between our
hotel and the race venue. After a few
failed attempts to follow our GPS on alternate routes, the first couple ended
at gates undetectable via satellite, we finally arrived with 20 minutes to
spare before the gun. I checked in got
in a short warm-up and saw Leah and Kilian just getting there spectator passes
and entering the race area as I climbed the wall into the starting corral. The race took out quick and I settled in behind
Ryan Atkins. The terrain got technical
quick, which was why I chose this race, hoping that I would not have to run as
fast, and Ryan and I quickly opened up a large gap. Just as I was settling into a rhythm the
course markings we were following brought us back into the middle of the race. Somehow we had gone off course and were
following the edge of the paintball field!
I really have no clue how we went wrong, the course was very well marked
but nevertheless there we were in the middle of the pack having tacked on a
full half mile.

Getting out quick!

Ryan dropped the pace
big time on his hunt for the front and I struggled to stay with him. Luckily we came up to a traverse wall that
utilized small rock climbing grips instead of wooden wedges. Several people
were falling off and we passed a large number of people by the time we rung the
bell on the far side. We then headed into the woods where plastic pallets
elevated us over marshy ground. As I
reached to step on one the runner ahead of me planted his foot on the far edge
sinking it into the much while simultaneously raising the end I was aiming for
of the ground. It hit me in the middle
of the shin and I fell hard and rolled.
I was back to my feet quickly though and chasing Ryan again who now had
about a 10 second lead on me. The next
stretch of run was a slight incline through the woods with no obstacles and
this is where Ryan put any competition to rest.
My running for the past few months has consisted of putting the kid in
the stroller, running 2.5 miles and 1,000 feet down to the lake, playing on the
beach for half an hour and then pushing the stroller 2.5 miles and 1,000 feet
back up to the house. It’s fun for sure
and a great workout but it is definitely NOT fast, and when Ryan laid it down he DESTROYED me. I just wasn’t prepared to compete yet.

Davy Jones Locker!

At the
top of the hill we re-entered the main arena where obstacles were stacked one
after the other. I really liked this
set-up as it made the obstacles themselves a little more challenging and it
allowed Leah and Kilian to see my tackle some of the bigger and more exciting obstacles.
I was also well prepared for this type of set-up and moved from about 20th
the 5th over the next few hundred meters. From here on out the obstacles were fun and
creative, while not overly challenging, I handled them all very well, although
I really didn’t push the run as fast or as hard as I should have. This was my first hard effort of the year I
settled into my comfort zone too easily. I still moved up to 3rd and
was closing on 2nd but ran out of room at the end.

Wheel world! Easier than it was talked up to be but a cool obstacle for sure.

Overall the experience was awesome, the race
was very well organized and as always the OCR community was great! Having Leah and Kilian come up with me,
although the ran wasn’t the best baby conditions, made the trip even better! I would definitely recommend this race to
anyone, especially those who want to face some good obstacles but don’t want to
be out on the course for 2 + hours.